From work. From Batavia. From cleaning the house and from the ‘stuff’ in my life that gets in the way of thinking.

Many times my husband invites me along on business trips and mostly my answer is, ‘I’m too busy.” Not this time. When I heard his conference was in Myrtle Beach, SC I made the time. I love the beach and the Marriot Grand Dunes is oceanside and is a wonderful resort to just kick back. So, I’m here!

This morning’s walk on the beach gave me time to reflect. Sometimes I listen to my favorite channel on Pandora or just soak in the sounds of nature – the seagulls, waves crashing and the unchecked enthusiasm of two black labs bounding in the surf. While walking, I started looking at people’s feet and how they walked and what they wore. Some were barefooted and walking at the edge of the surf, not caring if the waves invaded their path, while others wore their sneakers and carefully walked to avoid getting the sand in their shoes and socks. Yet a third group was somewhere in-between. They wore sandals and walked a safe distance from the water, sometimes venturing close enough to jump back from the waves and giggled at their ‘near miss.’ A final group’s footwear could be anything, but their behavior was purposeful – beachcombers. Those in search of the perfect shell or souvenir (I wonder where all these shells end up anyway?) This morning I was part of the sneaker crowd as I was on a mission – to cover miles and soak in the beautiful Carolina coast. What got me thinking was that at different times in our lives we are any of the three types of walkers, leaving different footsteps in the sand.

Not everybody was meant to be the carefree type of daring walker who enjoys the feel of wet sand and surf…some enjoy being close to the action, but at a safe distance and yet others are happy spectating without truly ‘feeling.’ Thus it is with the ups and downs of being diagnosed with a disease like DCIS or supporting a loved one that is going through a rough time in their lives. You as a friend can choose to take off your shoes and jump in and engage in what is going on, get close enough to the waves to see if help is needed or watch from a safe distance. It is your choice and there is no right answer. Just know that the closer you get to the water, the wetter your feet will get and you may find an unexpected jellyfish or sharp shell if you aren’t looking. Then again, if you are wearing your tennis shoes, you won’t get hurt, but won’t’ truly experience the joy wet sand between your toes and the thrill of unexpected waves. Take off your shoes every once in awhile and wade in…. the water’s fine!

P.S. Yes, I did take the opportunity for some guerrilla marketing during my walk….hundreds of folks on the beach and someone needs to find my site…I couldn’t resist!